When do you need a guardianship or conservatorship in Colorado

~ By Marco D. Chayet.

Too often, individuals do not plan for illness, injury, or incapacity and have not executed proper medical or financial directives such as a durable medical power of attorney or a durable financial power of attorney. A power of attorney is a document that is executed by a competent person which gives a nominated agent the authority to manage all or some of a person's medical or financial affairs. A power of attorney is "durable" if it is able to be used when that person no longer has the capacity to make a financial or medical decision. In the absence of planning, and when the individual is too ill or no longer competent to name an agent to help manage financial and medical affairs, court intervention such as a guardianship or a conservatorship is often necessary. Other times when a guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary include when an individual never had or formed the ability to name a decision-maker for them, where there are conflicts between nominated decision makers, when there are concerns that an agent for someone is inappropriately influencing the incapacitated person, or in the case of a true emergency where a court appointed guardian or conservator is the only way to get a decision made.

Guardianships and conservatorships for adults are established through a Colorado probate court for those incapacitated people (known as a ward or protected person) who need a representative to assist them in making a personal, medical or financial decision. A guardian is responsible for a protected person's well being; and personal care. A conservator is responsible for the person's estate or financial affairs. A court proceeding to seek the appointment of a guardian or conservator is referred to as a "protective proceeding." A person alleged to be incapacitated or in need of protection is called the "Respondent" unless and until a guardian or conservator is appointed. A person for whom a guardian has been appointed is called a "ward"; a person for whom a conservator has been appointed is called the "protected person." An incapacitated person in Colorado is defined as "an individual who is unable to effectively receive or evaluate information or make or communicate decisions to such an extent that the individual lacks the ability to satisfy essential requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care even with appropriate and reasonably available technological assistance.

Guardianships and conservatorships can generally be avoided if you or your loved one has executed a good estate plan. Remember the authority to make decisions for an incapacitated person must be given before that person becomes incapacitated. A basic estate plan should include a will or a trust, a durable medical power of attorney and a durable financial power of attorney. With an increase in the aging population and advances in medical technology, people are living longer. Therefore, it is likely that you or your loved one will face a period of incapacity. Planning for your incapacity is just as important as planning for the distribution of your estate upon your death and a basic estate plan could help to avoid the expense and time of a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding

1Mr. Chayet is a partner with CHAYET & DANZO, LLC. We are elder law attorneys who concentrate our practice on complex probate, trust and estate litigation and estate planning including litigating contested conservatorships and guardianships, representation of fiduciaries, trust administration and trust litigation, and complex Medicaid and public benefits planning. contact Mr. Chayet by email or call 303-872-5980.

Watch Our Firm Video

We are the premier Elder Law firm in the Colorado region. We set ourselves apart from other law firms in the area with our talent, dedication, compassion and ability of our attorneys to handle any case in Elder Law. We serve Colorado families with experience and dignity in your time of need.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.